Chiefs 2017

Stargazer

http://twitter.com/ChiefsRugby/status/831688445378457602

Tim

A big Chiefs welcome to three players who are joining us as injury replacements! Congratulations guys on this awesome opportunity.

While we are gutted to see players sidelined through injury, we are rapt to have you join the Gallagher Chiefs.

PROP: Aidan Ross, 21-years old, Bay of Plenty. Aidan joins us as a replacement player for Mitchell Graham.

HALFBACK: Jonathan Taumateine, 20-years old, Counties Manukau. Jonathan joins us as a replacement player for Brad Weber.

LOCK: Matiaha Martin, 24-years old, Counties Manukau. Matiaha joins us as lock cover.

Bovidae

I assume Ross is a LH prop? I can't say I watched many BOP games but he is a former NZ U20 rep.

I thought Tau Koloamatangi might have been considered for the same reason.

Bovidae

Here is the Chiefs Development squad. I would assume any replacements needed would come from this group.

Forwards:

Aidan Ross (Bay of Plenty)
Ayden Johnstone (Waikato)
Jordan Lay (Bay of Plenty)
Reuben O’Neill (Taranaki)
Kalolo Tuiloma (Counties Manukau)
Joshua Iosefa-Scott (Waikato)
Sekope Moli (Waikato)
Samisoni Taukeo'aho (Waikato)
Sabastian Siataga (Bay Of Plenty)
Donald Maka (Taranaki)
Leva Fifita (Waikato)
Matiaha Martin (Counties Manukau)
Fin Hoeata (Taranaki)
Sam Caird (Waikato)
Otenili Moala (Waikato)
Viliame Rarasea (Counties Manukau)
Luke Jacobson (Waikato)
Mitch Jacobson (Waikato)
Jahrome Brown (Waikato)
Foti Lokotui (Counties Manukau)
Ta Hosea (Waikato)
Matthew Vaai (Counties Manukau)

Backs:

Jonathan Taumateine (Counties Manukau)
Richard Judd (Bay of Plenty)
Logan Crowley (Taranaki)
Harrison Levien (Waikato)
Luteru Laulala (Counties Manukau)
Joe Reynolds (Counties Manukau)
Beaudein Waaka (Taranaki)
Matthew Lansdown (Waikato)
Orbyn Leger (Counties Manukau)
Lalakai Foketi (Bay of Plenty)
Sam Vaka (Counties Manukau)
Elijah Nicholas (Bay of Plenty)
Liam Steel (Bay of Plenty)
Latu Vaeno (Taranaki)
Josh Gordon (Waikato)
Sheldon Tovio (Waikato)
Sevu Reece (Waikato)
Regan Ware (Bay of Plenty)
Lolohea Loco (Counties Manukau)

Unavailable for selection: Leighton Price (Taranaki), Jacob Skeen (Waikato), Monty Ioane (Bay of Plenty), Iopu Iopu-Aso (Taranaki)

The 2017 University of Waikato Chiefs Taua Development Management Team is:

Coach: Leo Crowley
Coach: Andrew Douglas
Coach: Carl Hoeft
Manager: Gareth Duncan
Trainer: Brad Mayo
Physio: Paul Smiler
Analyst: Mark Ray
Programme Manager: Kent Currie

Stargazer

Thanks @Bovidae. Do you know whether there is a draw of development team fixtures somewhere?

Bovidae

@Stargazer Nope. I don't think they all play eachother anymore.

From the article:
The 2017 Development programme includes two games against the Blues Development team, the first taking place on Friday 3 March at FMG Stadium Waikato serving as curtain raiser to the Gallagher Chiefs vs Blues Investec Super Rugby match. The rematch takes place just two weeks later on Saturday 18 March at Pakuranga Rugby Football Club in Auckland.

Kiwidom

@Bovidae I would have thought that Nathaniel Apa, Jessie Parete, Tau Kolomatangi and Stephen Misa would have made this squad. Any idea if they are injured or moved on?

ARHS

There are other interesting omissions also: Isaac Te Aute, Zac Guildford, Ratuva Tavuyara, Jo Ravouvou, Dwayne Sweeney, Alex Nankivell, Sam Christie, Jordan Manihera, Sam Henwood, Berny Hall, Joe Tupe, Onosai Auvaa, Keepa Mewett, Brayden Mitchell, Gafatasi Sua and Solomona Sakalia etc. Most of these are older players, so I wonder if there is a 'development contract' requirement to be in this squad, focusing it on youth? I imagine that Sam Vaka and Mitch Jacobsen might be snapped up as injury cover by any franchise, and maybe Regan Ware. Same for the 4 noted as unavailable and the 4 mentioned by Kiwidom. If only two matches in early March for this squad maybe some players concentrating on University studies or similar.

Can anyone confirm how it works? Just seems odd to leave out a number of players used as injury cover. Presumably they are all available to any franchise if needed??

Tim

When will Joe Tupe be heading to the UK? He looks like the just the sort of ball carrying number 8 that does well over there.

Bovidae

@Kiwidom No idea about the players you list. I mentioned Misa in the Brisbane 10s thread. We'll have to wait until club rugby starts to see who may have left the region.

All I know is that the squad was selected by the Chiefs coaches in collaboration with the Mitre 10 Cup coaches from Counties Manukau, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki. The emphasis is on youth but that doesn't explain the omission of Misa, for example.

The Chiefs development team also tours Hong Kong where they are involved in training and play the national side.

Frye

@Kiwidom said in Chiefs 2017:

@Bovidae I would have thought that Nathaniel Apa, Jessie Parete, Tau Kolomatangi and Stephen Misa would have made this squad. Any idea if they are injured or moved on?

I know Kolomatangi is currently playing for Valley in Hong Kong. He's part of an agreement with the Chiefs to loan six (?) development players to the premiership clubs in HK.

The others are Josh Dowsing, Turoa Stephens, Lars Morrice, Nathan De Thierry and Joseph Ikenasio.

Kiwidom

@ARHS I had forgotten about Te Aute, another young fella who is not currently in the 7s squad and is not listed as being on their injury roster. I remember when these sides were originally picked years ago it was strictly an under 23 squad, so maybe they try to still loosely stick with that concept nowadays, as some of the players on your list can't really 'develop' anymore. I did chuckle at Zac Guildford though...

cgrant

Nankivell, Tupe, Manihera and Misa are shock omissions. Are they drafted by another franchise ?

ARHS

@Kiwidom Only mentioned Guildford as he was so impressive at the sevens in Rotorua and nationals. So were Te Aute, Tavuyara and Ravouvou, but all missed the national sevens squad, as did Sevu Reece. Perhaps they are hunting places there. Not sure if players distinctly choose sevens or 15s now, but seeing Ware in the development team surprised me.
I am mystified that Tupe was overlooked by all franchises, and note the Crusaders chose Douglas ahead of him. Also surprising to see Price and Skeen overlooked by all franchises. Any idea why they are unavailable? Surprising re Nankivell, as he is not in Crusaders development team either.

Bovidae

@ARHS Guildford is on NZR probation so to speak and won't be selected for any team at the moment. He'll play club rugby and his first step back will be for Waikato in the ITM.

Reece is inelligible for the NZ Sevens until next year. I think Skeen is injured again.

Kiwidom

@ARHS Guildford looked pretty sharp at the sevens but Nzrfu development manager Neil Sorensen stated they are taking things slowly with him and he needs to prove himself off the field this year before he will be selected in any team.
I think most people on the silver fern were surprised Joe Type wasn't picked up by a franchise. Whetu Douglas doesn't seem to offer that same x factor

Chris B.

@cgrant said in Chiefs 2017:

Nankivell, Tupe, Manihera and Misa are shock omissions. Are they drafted by another franchise ?

I think Nankivell is currently drafted into the full Chiefs squad as cover for Ngatai.

Stargazer

The Chiefs U20 squad (not to be confused with the Chiefs Dev squad) will play Blues U20 tomorrow at 2.30pm at the Manukau Rugby Football Club.

Team:

Ryan Coxan (Waikato)
Bradley Slater (Taranaki)
Tevita Mafileo ( Bay of Plenty)
Sione Tuipulotu (Counties Manukau)
Sam Caird (Waikato)
Tom Florence (Taranaki)
Du’Plessis Kirifi (Waikato)
Luke Jacobson – CAPTAIN (Waikato)
Caleb Korteweg (Waikato)
Matthew Lansdown (Waikato)
Sevu Reece (Waikato)
Matt McKenzie (Taranaki)
Salimoni Tukania (Counties Manukau)
Tyler Campbell (Waikato)
Niven Longopoa (Waikato)

RESERVES:
16. Damon Abraham (Counties Manukau)
17. Angus MacDonald (Bay of Plenty)
18. Alex Mitchell (Taranaki)
19. Lachlan McWhannell (Waikato)
20. Antonio Kata (Counties Manukau)
21. Ajay Mua (Bay of Plenty)
22. Ciarahn Matoe (Taranaki)
23. Brad Armstrong (Bay of Plenty)
24. Antonio Mikaele Tu’u (Waikato)
25. James Brady (Counties Manukau)

http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/390-chiefs-u20s-team-named-to-play-blues

Interesting to see a Hawke's Bay age grade player in that squad, Antonio Mikaele Tu'u (the twin? brother of Magpie and NZ U20 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u). Most notable player IMO is Sevu Reece. Also Luke Jacobson.

Dice

I was sure Longopoa was with Auckland after playing with Suburbs over the summer, but Waikato Crusaders have got him. Just make sure he returns to Auckland injury free in 2 years like Trainor.

BOP got themselves one of the best backrow prospects out of school in AJ Mua. They must've offered him a fair bit more than the bigger provinces to snag him.

Kiwidom

@Dice I read recently that Niven Longapoa was also targeted by the Canberra raiders and they have vowed to keep at him, so you might not get him back in Auckland

The Silver Fern

Chiefs 2017